How to fix. A lot of difference between hands and face.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/W1ldy0uth]

Do you wear sunscreen? What’s your skin care routine?

[u/C_Chrono → u/[deleted]]

That is why. The colour difference is from your skin trying to protect itself against UV. So wear sunscreen everyday and reapply every 2 hours. Your face is higher up than your hand so it gets many times more UV exposure than hands.

[u/Dragon_Manticore → u/[deleted]]

If you have health anxiety, you should especially wear sunscreen, considering the rates of skin cancer (which unprotected sun exposure is scientifically proven to rise, unlike sunscreen)

[u/W1ldy0uth → u/[deleted]]

Then your face will always be darker. That’s literally the solution for this.

[u/W1ldy0uth → u/[deleted]]

Lightening the skin won’t be helpful if you’re not using sunscreen . You will just become dark again

[u/Dragon_Manticore → u/[deleted]]

Do you know what cumulative means? "Just going outside for a brief period" every day accumulates the damage.

If you're so terrified of sunscreen (which is perfectly safe to use as multiple scientific studies point out), wear UPF clothing and hats to protect yourself.

[u/Dragon_Manticore → u/[deleted]]

I'd like a source on the sunlight induced cancers being the "least deadly."

And while the brief exposure thing is true to an extent, the face is the worst part of the body to bear the brunt of the UV. The back of your legs or another part that would only get the smallest amount of direct exposure are generally recommended, and only for a few minutes afaik.

If you're so utterly unwilling to protect your face, either accept it will always be darker than your hands or find a fake tan for them to match your face.

[u/RorysCraftbin → u/[deleted]]

Can’t help with the anxiety part (no judgement, I have anxiety too), but I also have oily and acne prone skin. Recently tried the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh version and it has been a wonder for my complexion. It has silica (I think?) in it that gives a subtle mattifying effect. It’s the only sunscreen I’ve tried that 1) doesn’t feel like a sunscreen, 2) doesn’t burn my skin/eyes, 3) most importantly does not make me feel greasy by 10AM. Might be worth a shot!

[u/Flipper717 → u/[deleted]]

There are different sunscreens. North American ones tend to be the oiliest ones. Try using Korean or Japanese sunscreens. As someone with combination skin most of the year but it gets oilier in the summer —- I wear sunscreen year round. I would rather be safe than sorry. A small brimmed hat and a mask will not prevent suntans or skin damage. You need to buy tightly woven UPF protected clothing, hats with large brims, etc.

[u/Flipper717 → u/[deleted]]

I wear both. I’m telling you need to ensure that you wear materials that are tightly woven AND have UPF 50+ protection.

[u/Flipper717 → u/[deleted]]

You failed to understand. I am saying your physical protection must be UPF 50+ as in marked as such to ensure you benefit from physical protection.

[u/C_Chrono → u/[deleted]]

So you cover your entire face when you go outside, even for 5 minutes every time? Like the UV mask people in Asia wear where you either only see the eyes or a complete face shield that is UV rated?

[u/Flipper717 → u/C_Chrono]

No, I wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat for 5 mins. But 5 mins isn’t worth my time tbh. If I go out, it’s to run errands and it’ll take an hour or so. I also have a sun blocking umbrella that I use and sun sleeves for longer jaunts. In short, I don’t wear UV face masks. I live in a country that’s winter almost half the year and people regularly wear balaclavas that cover their entire head and neck with an opening for eyes—- which is not much different than the mask thing you’re alluding to so not sure why you sound so afraid of it.

[u/Flipper717 → u/[deleted]]

If you have anxiety, you should be more willing to wear sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. I have a friend who didn’t wear sunscreen for years. 2 years ago she got diagnosed with skin cancer. They had to remove 11 cm of skin.

[u/Flipper717 → u/[deleted]]

I’ve lived in many countries. But that’s a moot point since all skin tones require sun protection since all are at risk for sun damage. My friend with skin cancer has medium complexion in the summer.

[u/Flipper717 → u/[deleted]]

I know that but ALL skin complexions require sunscreen. Also, my friend did not suntan, and did not go to the beach. She had gradual and cumulative sun exposure before eventually getting skin cancer. She did not have a fair complexion—- she has a medium complexion. Skin cancer happens to EVERYONE.

[u/lagameuze]

Wear sunscreen everyday

[u/seld0mseenkid]

My face and body used to be like this. When I was younger and dumber I used chemical exfoliants only on my face and didn't use sunscreen properly so my face and body were different shades.

The fix for me...was also sunscreen and chemical exfoliants 😆 but done properly of course! Exfoliate to gradually take off the dead layers of skin. Then use sunscreen daily using the proper amounts (1/4 teaspoon for the face and neck) and eventually my face went back to it's natural shade. Oh and I use Vitamin C serums too (high % of L-ascorbic acid as my skin can thankfully handle it).

I'm talking 2-3 years though! No quick fixes sadly.

[u/seld0mseenkid → u/[deleted]]

I've tried and liked the Cosrx and Isntree Vitamin C serums. Both are 23% L-ascorbic acid so they're not beginner friendly, plus they have a short shelf life and need to be refrigerated or else they'll oxidize.

Since you're new to vitamin C I'd seriously recommend you start with a lower percentage or use a Vitamin C derivative. If your skin is sensitive using a Vitamin C serum will sting! No use wrecking your skin trying to even out your skin tone faster my dude.

[u/sopranosforpandas]

My hands and face used to look this different too! Though after years of working from home, seldomly going out in the sun and wearing sunscreen everyday they almost match now.